Tube closure



A. E. SMITH TUBE CLOSURE Dec. 17, 1929.

Filed March 18, 1927 INVENR. ARTHUR E. SMITH A TTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES ARTHUR E. SMITH, 0]? LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TUBE CLOSURE Application filed March 18, 1927. Serial No. 176,361.

This invention relates to closures for receptacles.

The general object of this invention is to provide an improved closure for a collapsible tube wherein the closure includes an automatic valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for securing a closure on a collapsible tube. i

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic valve closure for a collapsible tube wherein flanges on the neck of the tube serve to hold the closure in place.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tube having a closure thereon wherein means is provided to prevent the closure from being forced from its proper po- 'sition on the collapsible tube.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for holding the valve of a closure in closed position.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible tube and closure embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a central sectional view partly in elevation showing one embodiment of my invention.

F Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of F ig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing the closure after the valve slit has been exposed.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the valve opened by pressure of the tube contents.

Fig. 6 is atop plan view of my device as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a top shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan View of the closure in position in the neck of a collapsible tube.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail elevation partly in section of the tube closure.

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan View of the tube closure as shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged central sectional plan View of my device as View of the neck of a collapsible tube embodying the features of'my invention.

Fig. 12 is a central sectional View showing a modified type of closure.

Fig. 13 is a detail top plan View of the tube closure shown in Fig. 12 showing the closure before itis positioned on the tube.

' Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail elevation partly in section of the modified form of tube closure shown in Fig. 13. a

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of the tube closure shown in Fig. 13 showing the closure as positioned in the neck of a collapsible tube and Fig. 16 is a partial side elevation of a collapsible tube showing a cap attached to the tube neck to protect the tube closure, the cap being partly in section.

Referrin to the drawings by reference characters T have shown my invention in connection with a collapsible metallic tube indicated at 10. In the following description I will describe my invention as used in connection with tubes of this character which are particularly adapted for the purpose of dispensing material such as dental creams and pastes, although it will be understood that the device is not limited to this particular use, but may be used for dispensing other plastic or semi-viscous substances which flow more or less freely.

Referring again to the drawings the collapsible tube 10 is provided with a conical end portion 11 having a cylindrical neck 12 integral therewith. The neck 12 is provided with a cylindrical aperture 13 whichcoinmunicates with an elongated aperture 13. The elongated aperture 13 has an inwardly directed flange 14 upon its inner, surface which is integral with the neck 12. The flange 14 varies in thickness being thickest at the ends 14 of the elongated aperture 13 and tapering upwardly toward the center of the elongated aperture to its thinnest portions as at 14 (see Fig. 11). The upper edge of the flange 14 forms a seat 16 adjacent the top of the neck. This seat is preferably curved upwardly from each end of the aperture 13 towards the points 14".

'A closure preferably used with this form of neck is indicated' enerally at 17. The closure 17 comprises a ody having an annu-' lar base portion 18 and an end portion 19..

The base 18 is joined to the end portion 19 The under face of the base 18 is shown as.

concave at and this base and the neck 20 are provided with-a transversely extending aperture 26which communicates with a n'arrower transverse aperture 27 formed in the boss 23. The aperture 27 extends up into the lip 24 to a point spaced from the top thereof. This closure 17 as just described is preferably made of a good grade of rubberin a mold and is vulcanized to provide the desired elastic properties. I

' To secure theclosure 17 upon the neck 12 of the collapsible tube 10 the closure 17 may be inserted in the neck from the top or bottom. To do this the boss 23 must, of course, be distorted to allow it to pass the flange 14. When in position the under surface 23 of the boss 23 rests on the seat 16 and the inclined side Walls 22 of the closure abut-the shoulire thickness of the flange 14 at 14 is preferably greater than the extent of the straight vertical portion 21 of the closure and thus tension is placed on the end 19 of the closure which will cause the aperture 27 to close when the closure is in place and form only a slit.

\ Byvarying the Width of thgflange 14 at 14 any desired amount of tensiohmay be placed on the tip or end 19 of the closure 17 v After the closure is positioned the tube is filled with the desired ingredient such as dental cream and is sealed. To use the contents of thetube it is necessary to merely cut off the lip 24 with a knife or other sharp instrument. When the lip again as shown in Fig. 4.

The sides of the flanges 14 of theelongated aperture 13 are spaced apart a greater distance than the width of the neck 20 of the closure so that in a normal or inoperative position the neck 20 does not abut the sides of the flange 14 but has contact with the flange only at the ends 14*. When pressure is applied to thetube' to force the contents out, as previously described, the space between the neck 20 and the side flanges 14 allow the closure to expand to'thereby open the slit 27 to allow the contents of the tube to pass therethrough. The portion of the closure adjacent a neck 20. The neck 20 comprises sub-v 24 has been removed I the slit 27 will be exposed and it is then only 34 has upon its inner surface flanges 35 integral with the neck 31. The under faces or shoulders 36 of the flanges 35 are substantially conical in form, and the flanges are thickest at the ends of the elongated aperture 34 and taper upwardly toward the center of the aperture. .This is similar to the showing in Fig. 11. The difference between the first form of neck and the modified form 31 is that in themodified form a flange 38 is provided overhanging the seat 37.-

' The modified form of closure 30 which I prefer to use in conjunction with neck 31 is practically of the same general configuration sure 30 may be, if so desired, used in conjunction with the neck 12 of tube 10 or in any other form of receptacle adapted for it.

The closure 30 comprises a body having a base portion 40 and an end portion 41. The neck 42 comprises a straight vertical portion 43 and inclined side walls 44. The end portion 41 consists of a transversely extended boss 45 having on its upper face an extended lip 46. 1 The under face of the base 40 is shown as concave as at 47 and the remainder of the base and the neck 42 is provided with a transversely extending aperture 48 which communicates with another transverse aperture 49 formed'in the boss 45. The aperture .49 extends up into the lip 46 to a point spaced from the top surface thereof. I

The modified form of closure 30 is also preferably made of a good'grade of rubber or other material in a mold and if of rubber is vulcanized to provide the desired elastic properties.-

In the type of closure 30 shown in Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive the mold is of elliptical form to make the base 40 of elliptical form as shown in Fig. 13, the major axis of the ellipse being at right angles to the boss 45.

This modified form of closure 30 is inserted in the neck 31 from the bottom thereof in the same manner as previously described in connection with the closure 17 The closure 30 may have a flange 49 which engages the inner end of the'tube.

When this elliptically formed closure 30 is inserted in the cylindrical aperture 33 of neck 31 the aperture 49 is closed by distortion from the elliptical shape to the cylindrical shape so that the walls of the aperture 49 .90 as the closure-17 shown in Fig. 9. The 010- as previously described in Connection with.

the flange14 of neck 12 of the first form.

Also when the closure 30 is in position in the tube the flange 38 overlaps the outer periphcry of the boss and helps to hold the closure against accidental dislodgment.

After the closure 30 has been positioned in the neck 31 of the collapsible tube 32, the tube is filled with 'the desired ingredient. The tube is then ready for the consumer. When one desires to use the contents of the tube it is necessary to merely cut off the lip 46 with a knife or other sharp instrument. When the lip 46 has been removed the slit 49 will be exposed and-it is only necessary to apply pressure to the collapsible tube 32 to force the contents out through the slit 49 which will be opened by the pressure of the tube contents and allow the same to escape as previously described in connection with Fig. 5. After the pressure on the tube has been removed the elasticity of the closure forces the slit closed again.

In Fig. 12 I have shown the closure 30 ask protected by a cap 50. The cap 50 is shown as provided with a sealing disk 51 which may be of cork and is attached to the neck 31 of tube 32 by screw threaded engagement as In Fig. 16 I show another form of protective cap as at 55 which engages the neck of a tube by means of a bayonet joint 56. The bayonet joint 56 consists of a pin 57 secured in the neck and adapted to engage two lateral slots 58 and 59 of the cap 55 which communicate with a vertical slot 60. The slot 59 is provided so that the cap55 may be attached to the tube before the lip of a closure member is cut away to expose the discharge slit. After the lip ofv the closure has been cut away the pin 57 engages the slot 58 of the cap 55 when the cap is positioned on the neck of the tube. The caps 50 and 55 may be used in connection with both forms of my device shown and described herein.

In Fig. 12 the slit is provided in the closure and the integral seal on the lip 24; is omitted.- To seal the slit closed a gelatin or other coating covers the slit and extends over the edges of the lip onto the end of the neck. The edges of the lip engage the coating 65 and prevent opening of the slit until the'coating is removed. The cap 50 may serve to protect the coating 65.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided an improved closure for tubes containing plastic, semiviscous or free flowing materials, which closure can be economically manufactured and is highly eificient in use, and which satisfies the conditions necessary to produce a sanitary device.

Although in the foregoing description I have referred to my invention as embodied in a collapsible tube, I wish it to be understood that it may be used for other purposes if desired.

That I claim is:

1. Thelcombination of a collapsible tube includinga body and an end portion, said end portion having an inwardly directed flange thereon and a closure, said closure having a portion engaging the inner surface of said end portion and having portions simultane ously engaging the top and bottom surfaces of said flange.

2. A collapsible tube having a body and an end portion, said end portion having an inwardly directed flange thereon, a closure having a portion engaging the inner surface of said end portion and having other portions engaging the surface of said flange, said closure member having a dispensing aperture therein and having means integral therewith for sealing said dispensing aperture only until first used.

3. A collapsible tube having a flexible body and a relatively stiff end,said end havinga neck thereon, a flange inwardly directed and arranged on said neck, a closure having a portion engaging the inner surface of said neck and having other portions engaging the top and bottom of said flange, said closure member having a dispensing aperture therein.

4. The combination of a collapsible tube having a flexible body and a relatively stiff end, said end having a cylindrical neck thereon, a flange extending inwardly from said neck, a closure for said collapsible tu'be comprising a flexible member having a thickened basal portion, a tip and a reduced POItlOII" connecting said basal portion and said tip,

said connecting portion engaging said-flange, said flange being of greater width than the connecting portion it engages.

5. A container comprising a body having an end portion thereon, said end having an aperture therein, a closure for said container comprismg a flexible member having a base portion and a portion pro ect1ng through said aperture, said last mentioned portion having a slit therein adapted to form a dispensing: aperture when a portion of said closure is cut having a body and an apertured end, a flange extending inwardly on said end, a closure for said collapsible tube comprising a flexible member having a base arranged in said end, said closure engaging portions of the top and bottom surfaces of said flange. v

8. A collapsible tube having a flexible body and a relatively stiff end, said end having an apcrtured neck thereon, a flange inwardly prising a flexible member having a thickened basal portion, said basal portion being arranged in said neck below said flange, a portion of said closure engaging the upper surface of said flange.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

ARTHUR E. SMITH. 

